Vibration-damping device for vehicle pump

Abstract

A vibration-damping device capable of reducing the transmission of noise caused by a water pump of a hybrid vehicle, for example, to a vehicle compartment. The vibration-damping device includes a cushion member, a pump mounting member, and an elastic support member. The cushion member supports the pump, and includes holding portions each with a slit formed between an upper and lower surface thereof for insertion therein of end edges of a pump extension member that extends from the pump. The pump mounting member includes inverted L-shaped cross-section retaining portions provided on an upper surface thereof, the supporting portions being disposed between the retaining portions and the upper surface of the pump mounting member to retain the cushion member to the pump mounting member. The elastic support member engages a lower side of the pump to provide support against lateral deflection of the pump.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A vibration-damping device for supporting a pump installed in a vehicle, the vibration-damping device comprising: 
       a cushion member to support said pump, said cushion member including holding portions each with a slit formed between an upper and lower surface thereof for insertion therein of end edges of a pump extension member that extends from said pump;  
       a pump mounting member including inverted, L-shaped cross-section retaining portions provided on an upper surface thereof, the holding portions being disposed between said retaining portions and said upper surface of said pump mounting member to retain said cushion member to said pump mounting member; and  
       an elastic support member engaging a lower side of said pump to provide support against lateral deflection of said pump.  
     
     
       2. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said support member is formed integrally with said cushion member. 
     
     
       3. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said cushion member is made of a rubber material. 
     
     
       4. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said rubber material is silicon rubber. 
     
     
       5. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said holding portions include a left holding portion and a right holding portion, each holding portion having formed therein at least one of said slits. 
     
     
       6. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein cushion member further includes a base portion that connects said left and right holding portions. 
     
     
       7. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said support member is integral with said base portion of said cushion member. 
     
     
       8. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein each of said left holding portion and said right holding portion has a C-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
       9. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said support member is disposed intermediate said left holding portion and said right holding portion. 
     
     
       10. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of said retaining portions includes a wall portion transverse to the longitudinal direction of the of the retaining portions and connected to an upper part thereof and said upper surface of said support member to provide a stop for the holding portions of the cushion member. 
     
     
       11. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein at least one outwardly projecting rib is provided on a longitudinal end of each of said holding portions, said longitudinal end facing said wall portions, at least one of said ribs being interferingly engaged with one of said wall portions so as be in a pre-compressed state. 
     
     
       12. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein each of said at least one rib begins at said longitudinal end of said supporting portions and protrudes in decreasing cross-sectional area to form a ridged section. 
     
     
       13. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pump mounting member has a stopper member for positioning said cushion member thereon. 
     
     
       14. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said holding portions further include second ribs protruding from said upper and lower surfaces thereof. 
     
     
       15. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said second ribs interferingly engage an underside of said retaining portions so as to be in a pre-compressed state. 
     
     
       16. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said second rib are transverse to the longitudinal direction of the holding portions. 
     
     
       17. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a side portion of said elastic support member engages said lower side of said pump to provide support against said lateral deflection of said pump, said lower side generally facing said side portion of said elastic support member. 
     
     
       18. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said elastic support member includes a surface portion generally facing upwards with respect to said cushion member and is engaged with a corresponding surface portion of said pump to provide support against vertical deflection of said pump. 
     
     
       19. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said surface portion of said elastic support member includes a surface of a through-hole formed in said elastic support member, a substantially horizontally extending tube portion of said pump being disposed therein to provide support against said vertical deflection and lateral deflection of said pump. 
     
     
       20. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said elastic support member extends upward from the cushion member. 
     
     
       21. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pump mounting member is to be fixedly attached to said vehicle. 
     
     
       22. A vibration-damping device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said holding portions further include ribs protruding from at least one side thereof and are engaged with a corresponding side surface of one of said retaining portions when inserted therein.